Fire aims to put Crew away, gain momentum

Shot at top spot in MLS remains a possibility

Like a fly at a picnic, the Columbus Crew has been hovering around the Fire for the past month--close enough to be annoying, yet not a dangerous threat.

The Fire can eliminate the threat once and for all with a victory Wednesday at Soldier Field. The Crew trails the Fire by seven points in the MLS Central Division standings and still has a game in hand, but anything but the full three points would make it hard for Columbus to overtake the Fire for the division title.

Columbus hurt its own chances by squandering a lead and falling 2-1 to D.C. United last Saturday while the Fire was winning in Los Angeles. A victory also would bring the Fire within striking distance of first overall.

"We know that a win brings us to within one point of Miami, and each of us would have three games left to play," Fire coach Bob Bradley said.

But while the game is important from a points and standings perspective, Fire midfielder Jesse Marsch said Wednesday's contest will have more far-reaching implications.

"I think it's a big game less in terms of points and more in terms of getting us on track of playing good soccer and getting some wins and having momentum heading into the playoffs," Marsch said. "Obviously, Columbus is close to us and a loss hurts us points-wise, but I think a loss puts us back momentum-wise. We need to get a streak together."

The Fire was pleased with the way it played in its recent West Coast trip, even in the overtime loss to Los Angeles in the Open Cup semifinals.

"It was a little unfortunate the way we lost the Open Cup," Marsch said of Alexi Lalas' sudden-death goal. "I still look at it as a successful trip. In terms of putting some good soccer together in that sense, I feel we're making good progress."

If there is an area in which the Fire wants to improve it is its defensive play on "set-pieces"--free kicks and corner kicks. Lalas' goal came off a corner kick, and early in the game Saturday the Galaxy put the Fire under pressure with free kicks and corner kicks. Three times Los Angeles had a shot off a set piece get past Fire goalkeeper Zach Thornton only to be cleared off the line by a Fire defender.

"Defending our set-pieces have been very good throughout the season," Bradley said. "[But] Lalas got loose for the winner and our worst moments Saturday were all off set-pieces. We just couldn't clear the ball."